Dear family and friends, this entry would probably be the final one posted in this blog. Gabreille went to be with the Lord today, 8th March, at 1610hrs. She passed away in hospital and the whole family and a few friends had been with her during the time leading up to her death.
When she was better, Gab used to set the alarm clock of her mobile at 3pm every afternoon. She did this to remind herself to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet which she had grown very fond of during the last months of her life. It brought her much peace and consolation to pray to Jesus in this manner, and she would, besides praying for her own healing, pray also for the healing of other cancer sufferers and another patient whom she had grown close to during her many hospital admissions. That patient came to visit Gab last week when Gab was admitted, and Gab was very happy to see that she was doing well, because the last time we saw her, she was almost at death's door and fighting for her life. I think it encouraged Gab tremendously to see her friend well enough to be wheeled down in a wheelchair to visit her.
Today at 3pm my family and a few friends gathered around her bed and prayed together with her this prayer. We had been informed that her oxygen saturation was dropping since 1pm plus. This time, her breathing remained even and she was more peaceful. During that time of prayer, each of us got to whisper our own words into her ears, and tell her how much we love her and affirm God's presence with her.
She passed away peacefully shortly after. We know she is with God now. She has always chosen Jesus right up to the last days of her illness. When she lost her speech, the name of Jesus was the last few words on her lips. She has complete healing now, and she has perfect health. We will miss her, and we will have to cope with this loss, but we are peaceful too, coz we know that life doesn't end here. It's just the beginning of eternity for Gab, and we will join her too, in future.
Thanks all for journeying with us. God bless you.
The wake begins tonight at her home. Her funeral is on Monday 12th March.
Thursday, 8 March 2007
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
Turned for the worse
Tue (6/3): Somewhere between 6.30 - 7pm Gabreille's condition turned for the worse. Laboured breathing, non-responsive. The whole family was alerted and came to be with her at her bedside. Prayers were said to assist her in this time, and later in the evening, a priest friend came over to say more prayers.
It's 1.30 am, Wed (7/3), now and she remains the same. We want only God's peace and His best for Gabreille. Thank you for your prayers. We know that so many people are praying with Gab now and we want to tell you how grateful we are that you have generously kept her in your thoughts and prayers. Will continue to keep you updated.
It's 1.30 am, Wed (7/3), now and she remains the same. We want only God's peace and His best for Gabreille. Thank you for your prayers. We know that so many people are praying with Gab now and we want to tell you how grateful we are that you have generously kept her in your thoughts and prayers. Will continue to keep you updated.
Tuesday, 6 March 2007
Where there is life, there is hope
Mon 5th March: From around 2am in the morning Gabreille's breathing became shallow and laboured. Her fever returned. She continued to sleep as before.
The tranquillizers were stopped and Gabreille was propped up to allow better lung expansion. She might have had some infection to her lungs, but the antibiotics seemed to help, coz towards the later part of the day her fever subsided.
It seemed to us as if Gabreille would pass on anytime, and we thought that if she could hold on, the longest would be till today, Tue 6th March.
Gabreille continued to be unconscious in the night, but would open her eyes fleetingly if turned, or moved or spoken to. She's also resumed moving her legs and hands weakly when she's aroused from sleep. Her breathing also seemed to have become less laboured.
(btw, the ultrasound showed that her liver is still inflammed. The doctor also informed us that the cancer had spread in her abdomen, and in her blood.)
Tue 6th March: In the early morning, Gabreille seemed to be breathing better and would open her eyes more often. We were praying for her in the night, and from some of your sms's I know that we weren't alone in our prayers. We have also started asking Padre Pio to pray for her too.
In the morning John 11:1-45 was read to her. At verse 4 she opened her eyes wide and made a sound in her throat. I belief she hears and understands. We also read Psalm 91 to her and she opened her eyes at various points of the psalm as well.
At 9.30am this morning, when her husband Alan arrived and spoke to her, she opened her eyes and seemed less drowsy. We are happy to see that she seems to look better this morning than she was yesterday.
That's the latest so far. Please continue to pray. I am so encouraged by all your messages of prayer and support, and have shared them with my mom, and will share with the rest of the family as well.
Will continue to keep you updated.
God bless!
The tranquillizers were stopped and Gabreille was propped up to allow better lung expansion. She might have had some infection to her lungs, but the antibiotics seemed to help, coz towards the later part of the day her fever subsided.
It seemed to us as if Gabreille would pass on anytime, and we thought that if she could hold on, the longest would be till today, Tue 6th March.
Gabreille continued to be unconscious in the night, but would open her eyes fleetingly if turned, or moved or spoken to. She's also resumed moving her legs and hands weakly when she's aroused from sleep. Her breathing also seemed to have become less laboured.
(btw, the ultrasound showed that her liver is still inflammed. The doctor also informed us that the cancer had spread in her abdomen, and in her blood.)
Tue 6th March: In the early morning, Gabreille seemed to be breathing better and would open her eyes more often. We were praying for her in the night, and from some of your sms's I know that we weren't alone in our prayers. We have also started asking Padre Pio to pray for her too.
In the morning John 11:1-45 was read to her. At verse 4 she opened her eyes wide and made a sound in her throat. I belief she hears and understands. We also read Psalm 91 to her and she opened her eyes at various points of the psalm as well.
At 9.30am this morning, when her husband Alan arrived and spoke to her, she opened her eyes and seemed less drowsy. We are happy to see that she seems to look better this morning than she was yesterday.
That's the latest so far. Please continue to pray. I am so encouraged by all your messages of prayer and support, and have shared them with my mom, and will share with the rest of the family as well.
Will continue to keep you updated.
God bless!
Sunday, 4 March 2007
Sedated and sleeping
Some updates:
Gabreille was fighting sleep from 6pm Thursday (1/3) till 12noon Saturday (3/3). She managed to keep herself awake during that period eventhough she had been given strong tranquilizers to induce sleep. She would sit up in bed and refuse to lie down even though her eyelids drooped and her body swayed. When we managed to make her lie down, she'd close her eyes for a few minutes, then fight to get up again. I was amazed at her strong determination to stay awake. She mentioned on Wednesday that she didn't want to fall asleep because she was afraid she's never wake up.
She spent those few days awake, agitated and frustrated. Her speech progressively worsened also. By Friday, she could hardly speak a coherent word. Just sounds and occasional repetition of simple words that didn't necessarily reflect what she really wanted to say. The longest phrase she could say perfectly on Thursday night was "pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, Amen."... which is the last part of the "Hail Mary". On Thursday night she'd also try saying part of the "Glory Be". She basically spent the whole night awake and half of it was spent uttering parts of those 2 prayers.
She didn't sleep on Friday and only slept for a total of 50 minutes on Friday night. By then she had been given quite a lot of sedation, but I guess her will to not sleep was so strong, she managed to keep herself awake. She was clearly in distress when she was awake and maybe it was a mixture of frustration from not being understood verbally, discomfort from the pain, and fatigue from sleep deprivation.
On Saturday (3/3), with some adjustments to the dosage of intravenous drugs, she was able to sleep from 12 noon onwards.
She has been sleeping from then till today, Sunday (4/3). It's a much needed rest, and we're relieved that she's getting some relief from her pain also.
On Saturday (3/3), she had an ultrasound of her liver. We'll know the results by tomorrow, Monday (5/3).
Her fever has subsided. She had no fever today. She's still on antibiotics for her infection.
She didn't eat well on Tuesday (27/2) and Wednesday (28/2). She hasn't been eating at all from Thursday (1/3)onwards, and is being hydrated by intravenous fluids. She's also being given medication to protect her empty stomach from her gastric juices.
When we let her wake up tomorrow, we'll try feeding her. If she can't take orally, the doctors plan to insert a nasogastric tube through her nose into her stomach to allow for tube feeding with a liquid diet. We hope she would be able to eat something.
Many church members and friends have been coming to her bedside to pray with us for Gabreille, and it has helped a lot. When Gab was awake she'd calm down everytime people came to pray with her. Now in her sleep I think she still follows the prayers.
She's received the last rites on Friday. It was a lovely session of prayer. She was awake then, and was calm. We're leaving it all to God now and we leave the outcome to His will. Whatever the outcome, we only want the best for Gabreille. Right now, we continue hope for the best and we are also prepared for the worst. We feel that all your prayers have been so helpful in helping Gabreille and the family. We feel peace amongst us. Gab's been sleeping, but she looks peaceful too. She smiled in her sleep once this evening - I didn't catch it, but her husband saw it... just for a fleeting moment.
Please continue to pray. We are very grateful for all your prayers. God bless you!
Gabreille was fighting sleep from 6pm Thursday (1/3) till 12noon Saturday (3/3). She managed to keep herself awake during that period eventhough she had been given strong tranquilizers to induce sleep. She would sit up in bed and refuse to lie down even though her eyelids drooped and her body swayed. When we managed to make her lie down, she'd close her eyes for a few minutes, then fight to get up again. I was amazed at her strong determination to stay awake. She mentioned on Wednesday that she didn't want to fall asleep because she was afraid she's never wake up.
She spent those few days awake, agitated and frustrated. Her speech progressively worsened also. By Friday, she could hardly speak a coherent word. Just sounds and occasional repetition of simple words that didn't necessarily reflect what she really wanted to say. The longest phrase she could say perfectly on Thursday night was "pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, Amen."... which is the last part of the "Hail Mary". On Thursday night she'd also try saying part of the "Glory Be". She basically spent the whole night awake and half of it was spent uttering parts of those 2 prayers.
She didn't sleep on Friday and only slept for a total of 50 minutes on Friday night. By then she had been given quite a lot of sedation, but I guess her will to not sleep was so strong, she managed to keep herself awake. She was clearly in distress when she was awake and maybe it was a mixture of frustration from not being understood verbally, discomfort from the pain, and fatigue from sleep deprivation.
On Saturday (3/3), with some adjustments to the dosage of intravenous drugs, she was able to sleep from 12 noon onwards.
She has been sleeping from then till today, Sunday (4/3). It's a much needed rest, and we're relieved that she's getting some relief from her pain also.
On Saturday (3/3), she had an ultrasound of her liver. We'll know the results by tomorrow, Monday (5/3).
Her fever has subsided. She had no fever today. She's still on antibiotics for her infection.
She didn't eat well on Tuesday (27/2) and Wednesday (28/2). She hasn't been eating at all from Thursday (1/3)onwards, and is being hydrated by intravenous fluids. She's also being given medication to protect her empty stomach from her gastric juices.
When we let her wake up tomorrow, we'll try feeding her. If she can't take orally, the doctors plan to insert a nasogastric tube through her nose into her stomach to allow for tube feeding with a liquid diet. We hope she would be able to eat something.
Many church members and friends have been coming to her bedside to pray with us for Gabreille, and it has helped a lot. When Gab was awake she'd calm down everytime people came to pray with her. Now in her sleep I think she still follows the prayers.
She's received the last rites on Friday. It was a lovely session of prayer. She was awake then, and was calm. We're leaving it all to God now and we leave the outcome to His will. Whatever the outcome, we only want the best for Gabreille. Right now, we continue hope for the best and we are also prepared for the worst. We feel that all your prayers have been so helpful in helping Gabreille and the family. We feel peace amongst us. Gab's been sleeping, but she looks peaceful too. She smiled in her sleep once this evening - I didn't catch it, but her husband saw it... just for a fleeting moment.
Please continue to pray. We are very grateful for all your prayers. God bless you!
Friday, 2 March 2007
Please continue praying
Gabreille's condition doesn't seem to have improved. Her speech has gotten much worse. She experiences pain in different parts of her body too. She feels very distressed about not being able to speak the correct words and express her feelings and thoughts to us. I think she feels trapped and very very scared of losing her mind, and scared of the worst. It's a very difficult time for her. It's been tough on the family too. For now, some privacy would be good for Gabreille and us.
But please continue to keep her in your prayers ok? We've told her that many people are praying for her. When she was better, she used to cheer up when she heard that people were praying or fasting for her. Now, she can't express that, but I know she wants people to never stop praying for her. She keeps indicating to us to keep praying, and she tries to utter prayers too, and I'm sure the Lord hears the words she wants to say in her heart.
Thanks. God bless you.
But please continue to keep her in your prayers ok? We've told her that many people are praying for her. When she was better, she used to cheer up when she heard that people were praying or fasting for her. Now, she can't express that, but I know she wants people to never stop praying for her. She keeps indicating to us to keep praying, and she tries to utter prayers too, and I'm sure the Lord hears the words she wants to say in her heart.
Thanks. God bless you.
Wednesday, 28 February 2007
Hospital admission - infection, speech difficulties, liver
Gabreille's been admitted to hospital since yesterday evening. She was having a temperature of 38.8 degrees, was dazed and drowsy, and was incoherent in her speech.
My mom accompanied her overnight in the ward. Gab had been dazed and drowsy since 11.30am yesterday, so when she woke up in the ward at night, she was confused and disorientated. The sudden deterioration in her vocabulary added to her anxiety and frustration. She spent most of the whole night awake, agitated, frightened and frustrated. In her own words, spoken on hindsight, Gab said she felt like she was going mad last night. She was trying to get out of bed and making a lot of noise and a few nurses and other patients had to help my mother to calm her down. She said she couldn't control her words and actions. That episode of confusion and disorientation scared her a lot.
This morning when I saw her, she was a lot calmer. Her speech remained impaired and I believe that is the biggest source of stress for her this time round. She finds conversations frustrating and therefore we don't stress her out with questions. We have learnt to just listen (and not interrupt) when she speaks, and wait for her to find the right words herself ... coz she still wants very much to express herself without interruption. I think she finds difficulty processing words so we try to lessen the "noise/clutter" in her head by just remaining quiet and waiting for her to find her words. Very occasionally we would gently prompt her with the words (if we're almost sure they are the words she's looking for), but we do that mostly only when she invites our help.
The fever is due to infection, but we don't know what infection. She's receiving antibiotics for that. Her confusion could be due to the infection too.
The doctors have arranged for a brain scan (probably tomorrow) to see if there's any changes with her brain involvement which could be causing her confusion.
She might have some problems with her liver too, and tests are being done to check her liver function.
Please continue to pray for her. We are really thankful for all your support and prayers. It's your prayers and support that are sustaining Gab and the family now. We remain hopeful and we know that God is always faithful. He hears all our prayers, so thank you very much for praying untiringly. God bless you all!
My mom accompanied her overnight in the ward. Gab had been dazed and drowsy since 11.30am yesterday, so when she woke up in the ward at night, she was confused and disorientated. The sudden deterioration in her vocabulary added to her anxiety and frustration. She spent most of the whole night awake, agitated, frightened and frustrated. In her own words, spoken on hindsight, Gab said she felt like she was going mad last night. She was trying to get out of bed and making a lot of noise and a few nurses and other patients had to help my mother to calm her down. She said she couldn't control her words and actions. That episode of confusion and disorientation scared her a lot.
This morning when I saw her, she was a lot calmer. Her speech remained impaired and I believe that is the biggest source of stress for her this time round. She finds conversations frustrating and therefore we don't stress her out with questions. We have learnt to just listen (and not interrupt) when she speaks, and wait for her to find the right words herself ... coz she still wants very much to express herself without interruption. I think she finds difficulty processing words so we try to lessen the "noise/clutter" in her head by just remaining quiet and waiting for her to find her words. Very occasionally we would gently prompt her with the words (if we're almost sure they are the words she's looking for), but we do that mostly only when she invites our help.
The fever is due to infection, but we don't know what infection. She's receiving antibiotics for that. Her confusion could be due to the infection too.
The doctors have arranged for a brain scan (probably tomorrow) to see if there's any changes with her brain involvement which could be causing her confusion.
She might have some problems with her liver too, and tests are being done to check her liver function.
Please continue to pray for her. We are really thankful for all your support and prayers. It's your prayers and support that are sustaining Gab and the family now. We remain hopeful and we know that God is always faithful. He hears all our prayers, so thank you very much for praying untiringly. God bless you all!
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
Dazed with fever
Around noon time today, Gab became dazed and drowsy and very sleepy to the point of being verbally unresponsive. Her temperature has shot up very high. She's currently at the hospital's Emergency Department and doctors are examining her to find out the cause.
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